History of Flight
On June 12, 2019, about 1050 central daylight time, a QuickSilver Sport 2S light sport airplane, registered as N7551V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Henderson, Louisiana. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
According to GPS track data recovered from a device at the accident site, the pilot departed a private airstrip about 1 mile southwest of Cecilia, Louisiana, at 1032:33. After takeoff to the southeast, the pilot made a left climbing turn to the east-northeast and flew over downtown Cecilia at about 400 ft mean sea level (msl). The aircraft continued northeast until 1036:35, when it entered a left turn toward the west while maintaining a cruise altitude of about 450 ft msl and a calibrated airspeed of about 55 mph. At 1042:05, the pilot performed a touch-and-go landing at Juneau Landing Strip, a private airstrip about 2.5 miles southeast of Arnaudville, Louisiana. After the touch-and-go, the pilot entered a right climbing turn toward the east. Between 1044 and 1048, the aircraft climbed to a maximum altitude of 878 ft msl while maintaining an east course and a calibrated airspeed of about 50 mph. At 1048:30, the pilot entered a left turn toward north and began a gradual deceleration below 50 mph. During the final 27 seconds of recorded data, the aircraft maintained a north course, descended from 816 to 778 ft msl, and decelerated to 43 mph calibrated airspeed. The final GPS data point was recorded at 1049:34, about 0.48 miles south of the accident site. No witnesses to the accident were identified.
Personnel Information
The pilot did not possess an FAA medical certificate, but regulations only required a valid driver's license to operate the light sport airplane. Local law enforcement reported that the pilot had a valid Louisiana driver's license. No pilot logbook was located during the investigation. The passenger held an expired student pilot certificate and did not have an FAA aviation medical certificate; no logbook was found.
Aircraft Information
The FAA issued the light sport airplane a special airworthiness certificate and registration in November 2007. The registration expired on January 31, 2015, and the registration number N7551V was removed from the FAA registry database on January 9, 2018. The airplane owner did not have any maintenance documentation or records. The owner provided a list of flights with hour meter readings. The airplane had 342 hours since new when purchased on May 27, 2014. A new zero-time hour meter was installed after purchase, but the installation date was not recorded. The hour meter indicated 100 hours at the accident site, bringing the total hours to at least 442 since new. According to manufacturer specifications, the maximum level speed at sea level was 68 mph; cruise speed at 75% and 65% power was 59 mph and 55 mph, respectively; landing approach speed was 49 mph; and aerodynamic stall speed at maximum gross weight was 38 mph.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site was on a level dirt road alongside a levee, elevation 17 ft msl. The initial impact was with the top of a tree line about 50 ft from the main wreckage; the tree tops were about 65 ft above ground. Damage was consistent with a nose-down pitch attitude at impact. The airplane struck the dirt road on a north ground track and came to rest inverted on a 320° magnetic heading. The main wreckage comprised the entire airplane, with tree debris conjoined with the inboard right-wing leading edge, right-wing strut, and cockpit. All major structural components and flight controls were identified; continuity to ailerons and rudder was confirmed. Elevator control tube continuity was confirmed through an overstress separation at the aft pivot point, consistent with impact damage. The main fuel tank was empty; the auxiliary tank contained about 1 gallon of fuel. First responders reported moving the fuel shutoff valve to off after seeing fuel leaking. Both electronic ignition switches were in the on position. The ballistic recovery parachute activation handle was stowed with the safety pin installed; the rocket and parachute deployed upon impact.
The engine separated from its mounts during impact. Examination revealed no crankcase or cylinder fractures, no oil leaks. Spark plugs showed normal operation. Both carburetors separated from induction tubes; fuel bowls contained residual fuel with no contamination. Induction tubes had sandy soil deposits consistent with dirt ingestion on impact. Internal engine continuity was confirmed; compression and suction were noted on both cylinders. The ignition system provided spark at all plugs. The cylinder wall, piston dome, and skirt showed normal operation. The propeller reduction gearbox had no anomalies; propeller blades exhibited rotational damage at impact. Postaccident examination found no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation before impact.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy of the pilot, performed by Louisiana Forensic Center, LLC, identified cause of death as blunt force trauma. No significant natural disease was found. Toxicological testing by the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory detected 0.313 µg/mL of diphenhydramine in blood and in liver samples. Additionally, 7-aminoclonazepam, the inactive metabolite of clonazepam, was detected in heart blood at 0.034 µg/mL and liver tissue at 0.052 micrograms per gram. No carboxyhemoglobin or ethanol was detected. Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine (e.g., Benadryl) with a therapeutic range of 0.025-0.100 µg/mL and a half-life of 3-14 hours. Clonazepam (Klonopin) is used for seizure and panic disorders; its therapeutic range is 0.005-0.070 µg/mL with a half-life of 19-60 hours. Clonazepam carries a warning that it may impair the ability to perform hazardous tasks.
An autopsy of the passenger also identified cause of death as blunt force trauma, with no significant natural disease. Toxicology testing was negative for all tested drugs, medications, carboxyhemoglobin, and ethanol.